Robert Towne Highlights

  • 2006: Helmed an adaptation of John Fante's Depression Era novel, "Ask the Dust," starring Colin Farrell and Salma Hayek
  • 2000: Penned the screenplay for "Mission: Impossible II," starring Tom Cruise and directed by John Woo
  • 1998: Third film as writer-director, "Without Limits", produced by Cruise and Paula Wagner; second film in as many years about legendary runner Steve Prefontaine; co-wrote with Kenny Moore, former University of Oregon and 1972 Olympic teammate of Prefontaine
  • 1996: Co-wrote "Mission: Impossible" with David Koepp for producer-star Cruise
  • 1994: Second screenwriting collaboration with Beatty, the disastrous remake "Love Affair"
  • 1993: Collaborated with David Rabe and David Rayfiel on screenplay for "The Firm", adapted from the John Grisham novel; starred Cruise and directed by Sydney Pollack
  • 1990: Scripted "Chinatown" sequel "The Two Jakes"; originally supposed to direct but replaced by Nicholson; friendship did not survive the flap
  • 1990: First association with Tom Cruise, "Days of Thunder"; co-wrote story with Cruise, then executed the screenplay
  • 1988: Second film as writer-director, "Tequila Sunrise"
  • 1987: Portrayed Stan in James Toback's "The Pick-up Artist"
  • 1987: Executive produced "The Bedroom Window", directed by Curtis Harrington
  • 1984: Took screenwriting credit for "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes" as P H Vazak (his dog's name); had orinally intended to direct film, but fallout from his war with David Geffen on "Personal Best" led Warner Bros. to give the helm to Hugh Hudson; shared Oscar nomination with other credited writer Michael Austin
  • 1982: Film producing and directing debut, "Personal Best"
  • 1977: Contributed uncredited "script-doctoring" to "Marathon Man", rewriting William Goldman (a master himself)
  • 1975: With Paul Schrader, co-wrote "The Yakuza", directed by Sydney Pollack
  • 1975: Co-wrote (with Beatty) "Shampoo", directed by Ashby; earned third screenwriting Oscar nomination in as many years
  • 1974: Won Oscar for original screenplay for Roman Polanski's "Chinatown", starring Nicholson
  • 1973: Received first Oscar nomination for his adaptation of Darryl Ponicson's novel, "The Last Detail", directed by Hal Ashby; first feature collaboration with Nicholson as actor
  • 1972: Scripted one scene (where the mantle passes from Brando to Pacino) in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather"
  • 1971: First feature collaboration with friend Jack Nicholson, acting in Nicholson's directing debut, "Drive, He Said"
  • 1968: Co-scripted (with Sam Peckinpah) "Villa Rides", directed by Buzz Kulik
  • 1967: Was member of Warren Beatty's production staff and made uncredited contributions to screenplay of "Bonnie and Clyde"; credited as special consultant
  • 1964: Wrote episodes for "The Outer Limits" (ABC), "Breaking Point" (ABC), "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." (NBC) and "The Richard Boone Show" (NBC)
  • 1962: Wrote four episodes for "The Lloyd Bridges Show" (CBS)
  • 1960: First screenwriting credit (as Edward Wain), Roger Corman's "The Last Woman on Earth"; also acting debut (billed as Edward Wain)
  • Raised in the gated community of Rolling Hills, California
  • Worked as a tuna fisherman while in college
  • Moved to Los Angeles in the early 1950s

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